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THE 



PLEASURES 



OF 



LOVE. 



POEM. 



BY 

JOHN STEWART, ESQ. 



Scribere 


jussit amor. 


OVID. 




Y 






3LonDon 




PRINTED FOR J. 


MAWMAN, 


No. 22 POULTRY. 




1806. 





By T. Gillet, Salisbury-square. 



m 



/ & 



7? 



AS 

A TRIBUTE 

TO THE EXALTED VIRTUES 

OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS 

house: 
THE FOLLOWING POEM 
is, 

BY PERMISSION, 

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

TO 

THE MOST NOBLE 

ARTHUR MARQUIS OF DOWNSHIRE, 

BY 
HIS VERY GRATEFUL 

AND OBLIGED SERVANT, 

THE AUTHOR, 



CONTENTS. 



The Pleasures of Love, Part I. . 

Part II. 

Notes to Part I 

Part II 



Page 
. xi 
. . 39 
. 79 
.101 



THE 

PLEASURES OF LOVE. 



IN 



TWO PARTS. 



THE 

PLEASURES OF LOVE. 

PART I. 



Here in close recess, 
With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs, 
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed, 
And heav'nly quires the bymenaean sung. 

MILTON. 



PROSPECTUS 

OF 

PART FIRST. 



OF all the benevolent affections, Love is perhaps the most com* 
prehensive in effect, and decisive in operation. 

From the origin of Love, (coeval with the creation of woman.) 
its influence has in every age softened the sternness of manners, 
and polished the asperity of nature. It has mitigated the ruder 
passions ; with the hardihood of man blended feminine delicacy 5 
and nnde the stubbornness of pride not merely subservient, but 
auxiliary to its empire. 

The benignity of this principle is universally acknowledged. 
In all the changes of fortune, or the vicissitudes of life, its energy 
and its influence are unimpaired. 



xiv PROSPECTUS OF 

In the subsequent Poem a love is spoken of as illicit. Courtesy- 
exacts this title from the offspring of habit. But, unsanctioned 
by language, it should be pronounced a criminal passion : a vice 
arrayed in borrowed plumes but to expose its nudity ; and from 
which, in suitable time, those appendages are plucked, when a 
precise discrimination of essential requisites and boundaries be- 
comes indispensable. 

The Pleasures of Love (properly so called) neither enervate nor 
dispirit. They are intimately united with the finest feelings and 
best affections of the heart. If oppression violate the cottage of 
the peasant, and threaten his limbs with foreign fetters ; Love, 
and the smiles of his unfolding little ones, superadd irresistible 
claims to those of liberty and of country. Patriotism and valour 
nerve his arm ; and on the plain of death he wields a two-edged 
sword, to shield the wife of his bosom and his hereditary home. 

If cruelty or revenge sever the knot of happiness, deliberate 
resentment impels to retribution. For " deliberate resentment 
(as is finely expressed by an ethical writer of celebrity) is excited 
only by intentional injury, and therefore implies a sense of justice, 
or of moral good and evil." This majestic impulse is variously 
modified by the distinct gradations of civilization and society. 



PART FIRST. 

There exists but one affection of the human mind capable of 
being dignified with the appellation of love : pure, disinterested, 
and progressive. This affection ennobles, exalts, expands, the 
sensitive heart ; and on ruder nature stamps an impression pro- 
portionably mild. 

Illicit attachment mingles no real enjoyment with its criminal 
pursuits. It inspires no emulous propensity, no intrepidity of 
virtue. It is an ignis fatuus that entices the giddy and the inex- 
perienced into ruin. 

The influence of love extends to every limit of the habitable 
world. It actuates every class of rational existences ; the fair Eu- 
ropean, the tawny Asiatic, and the sable ^Ethiopian. The qui- 
vered Indian feels in primitive force the ardour of its power ; and, 
isolated from the refinements of society, is alive only to unsophis- 
ticated nature. From its inspiration the feathered shafts " un- 
erring fly;" and the thirsty lance drinks with surer aim the blood 
of its victim. 

At the hour of midnight the Spaniard wakes his guitar to chase 
the slumbers of his mistress. The melting serinade dissipates her 



PROSPECTUS OF PART FIRST. 

dreams, and from eyes that irradiate the solitary hour, flashes un- 
utterable eloquence. 

Love also inspiresj on numberless occasions, the desire of emu- 
lation. Its pervading enthusiasm plumes the pinion of the muse, 
imparts a finer edge to the statuary's chisel, and nature's tints to 
the animated canvass. It enriches at once the source of our plea- 
sures, and of ingenuity. 

When sleep has locked the senses in oblivion, Love still con- 
jures up the gay delusion. Fancy images new creations : and 
Hope, whilst she fashions the energies of fortitude, weaves the 
brow with her brightest roses. 

The pursuits of avarice and ambition can never realize such 
charms, even in their most fortunate attainment. The satisfaction 
they induce in fruition is comparatively fugitive. But the impres- 
sions and enjoyments of virtuous love, unaffected by contingen- 
cies, are equally durable and lively. 



PLEASURES OF LOVE. 



PART I. 



O'er Heaven's high arch the infant Hours unfold 

The Orient Morn, in canopy of gold, 

From silver urns their balmy showers effuse, 

And bathe her silk cheeks in ambrosial dews ; 

Now peep the smiles, the vermeil dimples dawn ; 5 

And hues of saffron streak the azure lawn ; 

Now, hinged on pearl, she turns in bright display 

The eastern portals reddening into day, 

Whose genial blush bids new creations spring, 

And warm with life, their natal anthem sing. 10 

B 



THE PLEASURES 



Thus the mute canvas, touch'd by Genius, lives, 
And fairy worlds the mimic pencil gives ; 
Up-spring the hills, with cots romantic crown' d, 
The ivied towers, the sloping vales around, 
The glittering waves that roll in limpid pride ; 15 

The bending woods that clothe the glassy tide, 
Charm'd we survey, where not a tint was seen, 
Attractive graces harmonize the scene ! 

Lo ! 'mid the ambient blue new lustres beam, 
Fire the dun shade, and o'er the concave stream, 20 
As the new Sun through ether's fulgid course 
Now shot benign in vivifying force ; 
With arrowy aegis lit the sapphire main, 
And bathed, in fluid gold, the ripening plain ; 
Flush'd the full blade, his mellow beauties shed, 25 
And o'er the earth her vital glories spread. 

Here glow the flowers soft-dipt in Fancy's loom, 
That smile in tears, in rays caloric bloom ; 



OF LOVE. 3 

Round the fond elm the ruby tendril throws 

The fruit full ripen'd, and the bud that blows ; 30 

The down-wove peach, the lily's virgin bell, 

Bask in the blaze, with hue prolific swell : 

There, girt in foam, the stores of ocean roll, 

And lash the strand, impatient of controul. 

See! the warm clay, in mould celestial plann'd, 35 
Roll the blue eye, and poise the sinewy hand ! 
Life's gushing tides a kindling glow impart, 
And fire the veins successive from the heart : 
It moves, it speaks, complete the matchless plan — 
Majestic beauty stamps aspiring man ! 40 

Soon shall the tawny sheaf, the purpling vine, 
Cluster in gold, in tumid nectar shine ; 
For him the gilded spoil, the honied store, 
Load every sea, and burnish every shore. 

How vain the charms in bounteous nature drest, 45 
To beam contentment on the care-worn breast ! 
b2 



THE PLEASURES 

No jocund draught can pleasure's balm dispense, 

If cold satiety arrest the sense ; 

No mild luxuriance, no enamell'd sky, 

Paint the blanch' d cheek, or point the rayless eye : 50 

But Hope with Ariel-wand, her visions gives, 

And rich with bliss the magic landscape lives. 

She to new joy can rouse th' enthusiast heart, 

And sweeter hours and softer scenes impart ; 

The silken tresses, and the neck of snow, 55 

The smiles that sparkle, and the tears that flow, 

The blush, the glance, the languor, and the sigh, 

In soft succession, as she calls, move by. 

In Music light awoke the Seraph's song, 
Where crown' d with palms Euphrates glides along, 60 
And fairy woods in gay reflection pass, 
The spangled fruitage nodding from the glass ; 
As by the margin slept the blushing Fair, 
On scented thyme that dew'd her silken hair ; 
But ah! not yet her eyes of liquid blue 65 

Had tried their power, and gloried to subdue ! 




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OF LOVE. 5 

Not half so pure, the crystal tears adorn 
The violets mild sweet-opening to the morn. 

In Eden shades with flowers eternal crown'd, 
Where citron arbours breathed their odours round ; 70 
Primaeval Love first view'd, with blushes warm, 
Each flexile beauty and each orient charm ; 
In the clear wave her sportive image 'spies 
Come as she comes, and vanish as she flies ; 
Sees rival tints a soften' d radiance speak, 75 

And blend the rose and lily on her cheek ; 
And all the fluttering Loves the nectar sip, 
Or nestle gaily on her coral lip : 
Her eyes told more than all the Muses tell, 
Though sweet to passion's ear the mimic swell; 80 
Her ringlet locks with hyacinths entwined, 
Gave their rich clusters to the perfumed wind, 
Or now luxuriant o'er her ivory neck 
In golden waves, her tumid bosom deck, 
Whose crimson currents, exquisitely fine, 85 

Through lucid snow in blue meanders shine ; 



THE PLEASURES 

Her buoyant limbs, in just proportion wove, 

Elastic float and frolic through the grove; 

In motion charm, in grace quiescent please, 

With pliant swim or harmonizing ease. 90 

To ravish'd man what new creations rise, 
Heave his full breast, and revel in his eyes ! 
Love tunes his silver chord, before unstrung, 
And sweet vibrations tremble on his tongue ; 
Each throbbing pulse unknown delights improve, 95 
And new emotions ail the bosom move ; 
By her inspired, to honour's impulse true 
In life's gay morn we happiness pursue, 
The soul's pure impulse gilds the ruddy cheek, 
And wafts the vow no eloquence can speak ! 100 

For virtue blooms, and genial pleasure glows, 
Where Truth and Peace and Innocence repose ; 
No vicious glance, the harbinger of shame, 
With guilty fires pollutes the vestal flame ; 
No wanton wishes arm die roving eye, 105 

No fiery beat inflames the kindling sigh, 



No faithless lip imprints the burning kiss* 

No tremors thrill to wake a fleeting bliss ; 

But raptured hours in changeless measure move, 

And sooth the soul to harmony and love. 110 

Say not her smiles, in chains lascivious, bind 
The powers of taste, the energies of mind ; 
Unman the soul at Glory's patriot call, 
And bid her laurels fade, her blossoms fall ! 
Far other issue ! — no illusive ray 115 

Here lures to cheat, or flatters to betray ; 
But brightening hopes, in aspiration true, 
With fervid march the paths of Fame pursue. 
In cinctured pride, see blooming Genius spread 
The silvery halo round his holy head ! — 120 

See Science wave her snow-white pinions o'er, 
As the light Loves, to catch her music, soar ! 
See Patriot-virtue, fired by Love, impart » 
Strength to the arm, and valour to the heart, 
When their dark fate the vollied thunders shed, 125 
And wide are seen the dying and the dead ! 



THE PLEASURES 

Point but the goal where honest danger lies, -n 
His home, his loves, his liberty, the prize, > 

And frowning ruin gladdens in his eyes ! J 

On yonder summit, round whose air-hung steep 130 
In giddy chase the Alpine breezes sweep, 
The Switzer-shepherd cheats the happy day, 
And blythe his pipe, and blythe his lambkins play. 
Suzette with smiles rewards the votive lays, 
Her kiss his meed, her thanks his sweetest praise. 135 
No gambols please, no chaplets weave his hair, 
No note melodious and no landscape fair, 
If Suzette frown ; — then fled is Michel's joy, 
Unheeded shine the glaciers of Savoy ; 
Whose frozen tops, beyond the rapid Thun, 140 

In hoary radiance glisten to the sun. 
Suzette was fair, her plaited locks behind 
In light festoons the graceful ribbons bind ; 
The hat of straw half-veiPd her brunette face ; 
A scarlet jacket clasp'd the rustic Grace ; 145 



OF LOVE. 

Her bright-blue kilt embroidered low with red 

The polish'd knee, a fringing curtain, spread. ( x ) 

With sportive steps the allemande she wove, 

Or trilPd in simple notes the strain of love ; 

While the rapt youth in fond delirium leans, _-. 150 

And drinks of love, and wonders what it means J 

When lo ! Oppression bared his blood-stain'd arm, 

O'er calm Helvetia rolPd the loud alarm, ( 2 ) 

The patriot-trumpet blew with clangour clear, 

And roused to arms the gallant mountaineer : 155 

His cradled home he quits at honour's call, 

Climbs the wood-cliff and stems the torrent's fall; 

Bounds o'er the heath where erst in happier hours 

For his Suzette he cull'd the Alpine flowers, 

And twined the rural crown with pleasing care, 160 

To braid the ringlets of her yellow hair ; 

The red-lipp'd cherries pluck'd, his Fair to please, 

And spread the brimming pail, the fragrant cheese, 

As mid enamell'd thyme his browsing flock 

Cropt the young flowers, or scaled the nodding rock. 



10 THE PLEASURES 

But now his bosom feels the patriot swell, 166 

That fired for Schwitz the generous soul of Tell ; 
Nerved his firm arm to avenge his country's wrong, 
And wing'd the shaft embalmed in deathless song. 

But fond Suzette (what will not lovers dare ?) 170 
Her Michel's toils resolved, unknown, to share ; 
With walnut-bronze disguised her beauteous face, 
Robb'd of each charm, each mild attractive grace ; 
Her pencil' d brow a bolder arch assumes, 
And her fair head sustains the warrior-plumes : 175 
By Michel's side in every risk she stood, 
His gory path through hostile troops pursu'd. 
In vain the fiery chasseurs sweep the ground, 
In vain the red artillery thunders round : 
Nor flashing fate inclines her soul to yield, 180 

Nor sabres gleaming through the well-fought field. 
O'er piles of shattered arms, and hills of slain, 
She guards her lover on the crimson'd plain ; 
While dying groans and vaunts of prowess sound ; 
And Earth and Heaven the mingled cries confound ! — 



OF LOVE. 11 

The parent-bird thus shields her callow young, 186 
Unfledged their down, their infant-plumes unstrung, 
Thus potent instinct bids her hover near, 
Through ether's vast their giddy flight to steer ; 
With pilot- wing invites their first essay, 190 

'Till bold and firm they cleave the azure way. 
■ 
When near Lausanne the Patriot legions fought, ( 3 ) 
And fame and freedom in the battle sought; 
His ivied cot again each peasant view'd, 
His speckled clifFs and native mountain-wood ; 195 
And left the fateful toil, the loud alarms, 
For the calm refuge of his fair-one's arms. 
Michel again re-treads with eager joy 
The hill that show'd the glaciers of Savoy : 
Hears, with fond pride, his native choral song 200 

Mount from each vale, and swell the hills along, 
As jocund youths, in flowery chaplets bound, 
Twine with soft nymphs, and beat the festive ground. 
High throbs his heart, as round his honest brow 
Suzette's white hands the victor garland throw ; 205 



12 THE PLEASURES 

And soon he hears, for soon her lips confest 

The pure emotions of her faithful breast, 

How Love impeird her to th' embattled strife ; 

With guardian arm to fence her Michel's life ; 

And fann'd with vivid breath the hero-flame, 210 

To give her hardy Mountaineer to fame. 

Propt on Morgarten's beamy height, ( 4 ) 

Ah ! see Helvetia's Genius stand ! 
Her eye of glory dimly bright ; 

Unnerv'd her adamantine hand, 215 

Musing she points her lovely land, 

To ruffian-pride a hapless prey ; 
And, lingering, waves on Freedom's band 

Once more to crush a tyrant's sway. 

On Reding's lance she pensive leans, ( 5 ) 220 

And eyes the warlike dead below ; 
And culls from Time his brightest scenes, 

And bids the sainted dust to glow. 



OF LOVE. 

Unfelt, the Alpine breezes blow ; 

Unseen, the nimble chamois bound ; 225 

Unheard, the tumbling torrents flow, 

And fleet marmottos frisk around. 

Spirit of Life ! ( she sighs) attend, 

And rouse from sleep the mighty dead ; 
The sinewy arm of valour bend, 2S0 

And plume again the warrior's head ; 
Helvetia mourns; for Freedom bled, 

When Gallia yoked her dragon-car ; 
And, on by scowling Treason led, 

Pour'd wide the crimson floods of war. 235 

Ah ! yet in fire's immortal stream ; 

For battle steel the hero-heart ; 
In battle's day, in glory's beam, 

Thy thunders to each arm impart ; 
Let tyrant-guilt affrighted start, 2^0 

As pale he views each falchion rear : 



14 THE PLEASURES 

His arrows then Remorse shall dart, 

And the foul breast heave deep with fear. 

O'er sea-girt Albion still may Peace display 

Her seraph smiles and swell her festive lay ! 245 

Her dauntless youth in every clime carest, 

Her graceful fair the loveliest and the best : 

O'er arts and arms her generous people reign, 

Woo the rich soil, and crowd the subject main ! 

And still, as Commerce guides her bold career, 250 

From shore to shore the helm shall Justice steer ! 

Ye blushing fair that on the Muses smile, 
The pride, the glory of yon gallant isle ! 
Your charms relume, your timid lustres dart, 
And urge the blood's brisk eddy 'round the heart ! 255 
No daring foe shall win your snowy arms, 
Or tread, unblest, your paradise of charms ; 
No haughty stranger wring the struggling tear, 
Or pluck the warrior-garland from the bier ; 



OF LOVE, 15 



With impious scorn insult the tomb ye mourn, 260 

The laurelled bust, the monumental urn ! 

And should the war- toned bugle rouse to fight, 
For freedom, fame, and beauty's soft delight ; 
By Glory braced, each buoyant arm shall wield 
Resistless thunders o'er the tented field ; 265 

Each breast shall feel the mighty cause its own, 
And fence invincible the patriot throne ; 
With loyal pride, each hand the sword shall wave, 
Our King, our laws, our liberties, to save, 

O ! ne'er may war's dread hecatombs again 270 
With gushing life-streams purple Erin's plain ; 
No iron furies whet th' enthusiast spear, 
By Frenzy couch M, to persecution dear ! 
But rather, blithe Content through every vale, 
Pluck the ripe fruit; the yellow harvest hail ; 275 

Each liberal breast expand at Reason's call, 
And God and Country prove alike to all. 



16 THE PLEASURES 

Lo ! on that gory beach, the murderers slew 
The guiltless Indians of the light canoe ! ( 6 ) 279 

And Love's last pray'r, when flew the leaden death, 
In quick short pantings sigh'd the lingering breath : 
Each martyr'd form one only hope consign'd ; 
It lives, a phcenix-talisman, behind ! 
Its impulse fires the Mingo chief to arms ; 
The dusk-brown warrior sounds the shrill alarms ; 285 
His rattling shafts, his flint-tipt spear assumes, 
And o'er his bronzed brow wave the scarlet plumes. 
Though when white Peace her budding olive sway'd 
His love avenged, he scour'd the forest-shade; 
No more with her he wings the pathless plain, 290 

Or bounds triumphant o'er the billowy main ; 
Still, still he shuns the whirlwind of the soul, 
The wine that sparkles and the plighted bowl; 
And shrinks, in frenzy, at the 'crusted sword, 
Drunk with the crimson of the breast adored. 295 

Oft as he mused where all he loved reclined, 
Each long lost vision 'bodied on the wind ; 



OF LOVE. 17 

Would plastic Hope recall the happy hours, 

The hut, the swift canoe, the plantain bowers; 

Oft o'er his glowing cheek would sorrow stream, 300 

As faded scenes came brighten' d on his dream ! 

Thus wild through Enna's fields the goddess flies, ( 7 ) 
With locks unbound and sad imploring eyes ; 
Pursues her midnight search the fair to gain, 
O'er laughing mead, sweet stream, and painted plain ; 
To each gay grove her dragon-coursers bend, 306 

On each gay grove her -/Etna-fires descend ; 
The floating girdle, as forlorn she strays, 
With fatal truth the deed of guile betrays ; 
And Ceres mourns as bathed in pity's flow, 310 

Sweet Arethusa weeps the tale of woe. 

See ! Love's bright torch illumes the Sestian tower 
With anxious blaze, and chides the lingering hour. 
Now bold Leander to the signal flies, 
Feels Hero's smile, and kindles in her eyes : 315 

c 



18 THE PLEASURES 



Gives his brave bosom to the dashing wave, 
Though drear the night and loud the tempest rave ! 
Crested in foam o'er Hellespont he rides, 
Love nerves his arm, and Love his voyage guides; 
His eye unwearied marks the pilot- star, 320 

While his fond mistress points the goal afar : 
Soon near the crooked shore, he springs to land, 
And bounds exulting o'er the yellow strand. 
Thus Jove's dread bird, to gain his air-built nest, 
Cleaves ether's ocean with undaunted breast ; 325 

The dangerous height still scans with piercing eye, 
The sun his signal, and his home the sky. 

How changed the scene, when mimic smiles decoy, 
And paint the phantoms of unhallow'd joy ! 
Illicit passion owns no angel charm, ( 8 ) 330 

Inspires no throb so sensitively warm, 
No zest of mind with transient grace combines, 
No virtue feels, no happiness designs. 
Deluded man, no more the wise and brave, 
Lives but to sigh, a painted syren's slave ; 335 



OF LOVE. 19 



Unblest he roves through guilt's licentious wild, 
Smiles at his fall and sues to be beguiled ; 
From Valour's crown, from Reason's triumph flies, 
And yields a world to fall a woman's prize. 

When down the Cydnus ^Egypt's galley rolPd, (9) 340 
Her keel, her sails, her streamers streak 'd with gold, 
With painted plumes while mimic Cupids blow 
The gelid airs, to fan the rising glow ; 
While silver flutes melodious panted 'round, 
And silver oars replied to music's sound ; 345 

And eager crowds, half-bending from the shore, 
Caught the soft strains the rippling waters bore : 
The chief, whose brow imperial conquest graced, 
Whose sun of glory half the globe embraced, 
Empire resign'd ; betray'd the soldier's fame, 350 

And dimm'd the splendour of a Roman name ; 
On fate's dread brink slept in lascivious arms, 
And drunk of death from Cleopatra's charms ; 
On Actium's day the coward fair-one fled, 
While the war thunder' d, and the battle bled; 355 

c2 



20 THE PLEASURES 

Still perch'd on high his veteran eagles stood, 
Flapp'd their bold wings andhail'dthe reddening flood, 
'Till fatal Love the hero's sails unfurl'd, 
And lost the sceptre of a subject world. 

CooPd in the gales of yon iEgean isle, 360 

O! wilt thou bask in Beauty's angel-smile ; ( TO ) 
And hear Pelides, screen'd in arbours gay, 
Breathe to the Doric lute his soul away ? 
Or see the man of wisdom, wise no more, 
Calypso's form, Calypso's smiles adore ; 365 

And not confess the wanton's beauties lead 
The victim-heart, to bid it's virtues bleed ? 

Illicit love there kindles war's alarms, (") 
To Ilium guides the western world in arms ; 
Bids penal fire in rage avenging play, 370 

Unbars the Scaean gate and points the way : 
In crashing piles the regal palace falls, 
And smouldering ruin wraps the heaven-built walls. 



OF LOVE. 21 



Lo ! Thais leads ; the furious torches fly, ( I2 ) 
Hiss o'er the marble roofs and glaze the sky ; 375 

The sculptured scenes in awful grandeur fade, 
The towering dome, the breezy colonnade. 

Here, when Armida weaves the mystic spell, ( I3 ) 
And fancy's visions o'er the landscape swell ; 
Remote from glory's camp, and honour's band, 380 
Rinaldo yields to Beauty's soft command ; 
In dalliance lost, in sloth luxurious laid, 
He hails the nectar'd bower, the silk arcade. 
Yet when the shield displays, in wild surprize, ( J 4) 
The flower-wove ringlets and the love-sick eyes ; 385 
Th' inverting mirror shows the happier way, 
That leads to fame's interminable day. 

The way-worn trav'ller thus, in cool retreat, 
Hides him at noon from summer's sultry heat; 
Some daisied hillock props his languid head, 390 

And sweet he slumbers on his grassy bed ; 



22 THE PLEASURES 

'Till from the yellow moss at evening springs 

The warbling lark, and softly- plaintive sings ; 

Amazed, he starts ; then sees the waning day, 

With parting blushes on the foliage play ; 395 

And, o'er the russet lawn, he gaily flies, 

As hopes of home in fond succession rise. 

When first on earth, illumined from above, 
The spotless bosom felt the glow of Love ; 
Each thought was chaste, each sympathy confest ; 
Each only wish, in blessing, to be blest ; 401 

Each hope, the mutual transport to impart, 
And waft the pure vibrations to the heart. 

But ah ! how changed ! no more perennial here, 
Primaeval love, the hours of life endear ! 405 

Fled are the joys sweet peace had made her own, 
When in the eye her chaste expression shone ; 
And bright content her blended hues would throw, 
In all the radiance of the humid bow. 



OF LOVE. 23 

Yet still the Muse aspires to woo the fair, 410 

Whose hearts unbought the Loves and Virtues share ; 
Who see, unenvy'd, all that chance bestows, 
That springs from wealth, or from ambition flows, 

O ! lay me by Cettina's wave, ( I5 ) 

Where Koter's vales of beauty spread ; 415 

And Naiads of Narenta lave, 

From living urns, the floral bed. 

For, there, the eyes ingenuous speak ; 

And, there, the heart responsive owns 
The glance of hope that robes the cheek, 420 

The voice that melts in softest tones ! 

When Love's sweet influence seizes on each vein, 
And the thrill'd nerves imbibe the pleasing pain ; 
It's dove-like glances dart the timid eye, 
The faltering melodies unfinish'd die ; 425 

Unwonted extasies, in rapture, rove ; 
Unwonted pangs disclose the throbs of Love. 



24 THE PLEASURES 

TV intrepid youth who quits his native shore, 
From Fortune's lap to glean the golden store ; 
And treads with patient pain a foreign soil, 430 

By imaged love beguiles the task of toil : 
O'er arid plains though sad his course he bend, 
Her visions light his votive dreams attend ; 
Illusive Fancy blends her gaudiest hue, 
To picture beauties magically true ; 435 

Dispense o'er ebon shades a lucid power, 
And chase the clouds that wrap the sombre hour. 

Thus where Pomona, cradled by the storm, ( l6 ) 
Bares to the frigid blast her rocky form, 
In light succession airy dancers fly, 440 

And skim with vivid fires the northern sky. 
Refulgent columns gild with quivering light 
The wintry pall, and stud the throne of night ; 
The arrowy meteors charm the gazing throng, 
And sportive flashes pour the heavens along. 445 



OF LOVE. 25 

Yoke eagle wings, or course the pathless wind, 
To chase the still-loved image from the mind ; 
Trace every shore the loud Atlantic laves, 
Or roam with Brahmins by the Ganges waves ; 
Range every clime where Nature's bounties teem, 450 
From Shannon's flowery banks to Jordan's stream ; 
Or where the Duna's wood-crown' d ices spread, 
Or warm Hoambo gilds his genial bed ; 
Or mark Coanza clear, soft-gliding by, 
Reflect the orange grove, the sapphire sky ; 455 

Where jetty breasts divide the whispering flood, 
And golden fruitage wreathes the tawny wood : 
Fleet as the vollied flash, still Love pursues, 
Breathes every grace and lives in rosier hues ; 
Still keener points, at each remove, the dart, 460 

And fires with fiercer flame the tingling heart. 

In orient bloom expands the wild-wood vale, 
And music's voice yet vibrates in the gale, 
Where in Vaucluse resounds the Tuscan lyre, 
And Laura's charms awake the poet's fire ; 465 



m THE PLEASURES 

As Echo's bugle thrills the festal grove, 
To the full Paean of the lyre of love ; 
And Virtue's smiles, as on the heart they play, 
Bid Fancy's wild illusions fade away. 

Where gush the distant western-springs, 470 

Whence Susquehanna's wave meanders ; 
The copper-colour'd Indian sings, 

As 'round her palm- wove hut he wanders ; 
For Love he dares the hunter's toil ; 
For Love he courts the shaggy spoil. 475 

<s My dark-brown maid ! the locks of day 
Float on yon mountain's burnish'd head ; 

Up — up — my Love, and come away ; 
The sun illumes the forest-bed. 

For thee the tusky warrior bled ; 480 

These arrows pierced the panther-prey ; 

The spotted skin, the feathers red, 

Shall deck my Love;— then, come away !" 



OF LOVE. 27 



Her bow of cane she quick assumes ; 

Love soon arrays the scarlet plumes. 4-85 



What dying music steals afar ? 

How softly thrums the light guitar ! 

Whose fingers kiss the aspen strings* 

Whence undulating magic springs ? 

Whose harmonizing minstrelsy 490 

Bewitches thus with ecstacy ? 

Ah ! catch the soft, the soothing strain ; 

It dies adown the moon-light shore ! 
Again it swells — it sinks again : 

And, now, is heard no more ! 495 

Hark ! — 'tis the sleepless youth who moves 
The vestal fair, he fondly loves ! 
In accents light, the whisper* d vow 
Exhales its golden notes below. 



28 THE PLEASURES 



SERENADE. 

Wing'd on leaves of new-blown roses, 500 

Cupid, waft Alonzo's sigh ; 
Press the lip where joy reposes ; 

Light the star-beam of that eye. 

Smooth her locks with laughing fingers, 

Fan thy pinions o'er her breast ; 505 

Urchin ! — how the fond one lingers, 
Archly nods, and looks so blest ! 

Bud of beauty, brunette fair ! 

Smile, thine own Alonzo's nigh ; 
Wave thy locks of raven-hair ; 510 

Sigh me back a softer sigh. 

Wake thee, Love, — in highest noon 

Rides the dancing orb of night ; 
Wake thee, Love, the glittering moon 

Silvers soft thy latticed height, 515 



OF LOVE. 29 

She hears — she starts with fond delight ; 

The studded lattice gleams with light, 

And swift, from Beauty's radiant eyes, 

The smile of chaste affection flies ; 

Their plighted loves again they bind, 525 

'Till midnight leaves the world behind. 

Yet, o'er the face though dazzling lilies blow, 
And flush'd carnations dimple through the snow ; 
Though Beauty's lip excel the tulip's bloom, 
And twinkling joys her starry front illume ; 530 

Though winning grace had deck'd her angel mien, 
In charms that please, or sportive or serene ; 
If 'reft of those, that mental worth declare, 
No form is lovely and no face is fair. 
Still must the soul her rival lustres show, 535 

And beauty's heart the springs of mercy know ; 
Still temper beam, enrich'd with modest pride, 
While sense and knowledge o'er the taste preside : 
Or else delusive sports the fickle bloom, 
Fades into air and leaves a deeper gloom. 540 



30 THE PLEASURES 

Thus the bright musk-rose, pearl'd in matin dew, 
Clothes every leaf in Flora's finest hue ; 
And, proud she towers, or ere the vernal storm 
Strip the silk leaflets of her timid form. 

How soon dejected Love the veil resign'd, 545 

That hope's white fingers wove for Darnley's mind ! ( J 7 j 
How soon the charming queen repentant views, 
A soul unmatch'd with beauty's glozing hues ! 

When first the Nine in groves Pierian strung 
Their golden lyres, the power of Love they sung ; 550 
Hence beauty's smiles a generous glow inspire ; 
Hence music melts the soul or wakes to fire ; 
Hence the bright marble starts, with nature warm, 
Lives at each stroke, and breathes a mimic charm ; 
And hence the pencil's tints, with flowing grace, 555 
Paint the young Loves that sport in Beauty's face. 

By her inspired, in fine proportions sprung 
Those rounded limbs, in ease attractive hung ; ( l8 ) 



OF LOVE. 31 

That touching grace, so fugitive and fine, 

The air so chaste, the contour so divine ; 560 

The pride of symmetry by Science led, 

To warm the world, from marble's chisel'd bed. 

Creative, here, she blended every hue, 
In the rich tints Corregio's pencil drew : ( I9 ) 
With every smile, in colours chastely bright, 565 

O'er sweet Albani's shed her softest light ; ( 20 ) 
Combined each shade, and dipt in every grace, 
That breathes enchantment o'er the sparkling face. 

How mild is eve ! how gay the blossom'd vale, 
Where florets twine, and azure currents sail ! 570 

There Cupids laugh, and trip the jocund maze 
In sportive time ; the flute Silenus plays. 
One chubby boy apart, delighted lies, 
Hides from the rest, and every gambol eyes ; 
They nod, they smile, with arch attractive glance, 575 
And urge his light steps to the feathery dance ; 



32 THE PLEASURES 



The Brother-loves would lure him, but in vain, 

He lists and looks, but lolls him on the plain. 

In roses crown'd melodious music, there, 

Bids Orpheus woo his sweet bewitching fair, 

Blue-ey'd Eurydice with golden hair. 

And, as his fingers kiss the trembling wire, 

The melting strains e'en gloomy Dis inspire ; 

Chain the dread wheel, and warm the wondering dead, 

While crowding spectres hover o'er his head. 585 

Nursed in her beams, hence orphan Genius springs, 
Shoots through the vast, and flaps his new-imp' d wings : 
Hence ardour prompts, and glory fires the heart, 
And all the virtues in succession start : 
Hence in bright polish rise the manners gay, 590 

And o'er the face unwonted graces play. 
The ripening orb thus feeds the diamond's blaze, 
And streaks it's water with refulgent rays, 
Gives to each charm a hue more softly fine, 
And sees o'er all a magic lustre shine. 595 



OF LOVE. S3 

Ah ! catch the sigh ;. and mark the hero's tear ; 
They speak the feelings of a love sincere ! 
As Rolla's virtues, by each heart revered, 
For Love renounce what Love and life endear'd ; 
His Cora's grace to happier arms could give, 600 

And bid the blush of pleasure ever live ; 
E'en on her lips as hangs the parting kiss, 
His swelling bosom owns the pensive bliss. 

O'er every surge, through every fateful storm, 
The distant sailor chaunts his fair-one's form ; 605 

And not a sun that pours the zenith ray, 
And not a cloud that hides the orb of day, 
Dissolves the vision, dims the radiant smile, 
Or strips sweet Fancy of her magic wile. 
Through plains of ice if slow his course he steer, 610 
O'er tepid waves if high his bark career ; 
Where Orellana spurns the ocean's bound, ( 21 ) 
Or shivering Volga chills with sullen sound ; 
Still undecay'd the imaged pleasures glow, 
In torrid sun-beams and 'mid wastes of snow. 615 



34 THE PLEASURES 

Pillow'd oa hope, his temples Love reclines, 
Straight 'mid his dreams the dear illusion shines ; 
Silence and sleep a mimic life renew, 
With softer hours and transports ever new : 
Wake the light sylphs, in Fancy's court that dwell, 620 
And bid the airy modulations swell ; 
' Harness in gossamer* the meteor train, 
And mould the tinsel coinage of the brain. 
'Now the fond maid attends her sailor's sigh, 
Basks in his smile and revels in his eye ; 6 C 25 

In spicy fields and citron-blushing bowers 
Culls the gilt fruit, or crops the purple flowers : 
Plucks the ripe cocoa from the nectar'd glade, 
And roams delighted in Tabasco's shade ; 
Or drinks the breeze that fans the cassia-wood ; 6H0 
Or laves her white limbs in the gelid flood. 
Now, by the dimpling shore at home she stands, 
Marks the white sail, and ' waves her lily-hands ;' 
As, soon across the scintillating foam, 
Scuds the tallbark to near the rising home ! 655 



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FiififcAtd '^-rfe .ictJtr-eca.3rcY r.p^SrJ '.frJJEvrman.a? rnrfrrv. 



OF LOVE. S5 

Now jovial hands swift-ply the flying oar ; 
Now the gay keel divides the dancing shore :— 
Ah ! sweet enthusiast ! soon th' ideal breast 
Clings to thine own, caressing and carest ! 

Thus the fond soldier, ' tired of war's alarms,' 640 
Thinks on the maid that waits his manly arms ; 
Intrepid climbs the sky o'er Alpine snows, 
'Mid chasmy ice and wastes of terror goes : 
Or toils o'er arid sands, where fiercely play 
The panting fires of ^Ethiopian day. 64?5 

Still gayer scenes, and joy-illumined hours, 
O'er future paths diffuse their vivid flowers ; 
And still he hopes, the deathful battle past, 
.« Home to return and clasp his love at last.' 

Oft, as at night he treads the rampart's round, 650 
No bugles breathe ; no winds respiring sound ; 
Pensive he leans ; re-paints the fading scene, 
And crowds with visions the remember'd green ; 
d2 



36 THE PLEASURES 

He seeks the sparry grot ; he hears the rill ; 

He treads the slope, the lawn, the oak-crown'd hill ; 

He sees the hawthorn vale, the gothic spire, 658 

The ivied cottage, and the cheerful fire : 

Sweeps the gold broom, and robs the musky shade 

Of all it's treasure for his long-lost maid ; 

And sighs his suit, that once her sanction drew, 660 

To Ellen plighted and to Ellen true. 

Yes, sweetest power ! o'er every scene benign 
Thy smiles expand, thy dear suffusions shine; 
And from the cheek when nature's roses fly, 
Chase health's light blush and dim the humid eye ; 
Thy balmy incense heals the canker'd woe ; 666 

And in the eye thy beams of comfort glow. 

Not all the argent mines of proud display, 
Where rich Potosi boasts her central day ! 
Not the ripe seeds, which tinge with tawny ore 670 

The wealthy sands of Gambia's golden shore ! 



OF LOVE. 37 

Not all the cluster'd gems, whose priceless rays 

With envied fires Golconda's depths emblaze ; 

Can mould, like love, the inexpressive charm, 

That heaves the heart, and beats the sweet alarm ; 675 

Or o'er the checquer'd paths of life diffuse 

One ray, to mimic Love's harmonious hues. 



END OF PART FIRST. 



THE 

PLEASURES OF LOVE. 

PART II. 



•' Or che non puo di bella donna II pianto, 
Ed in. lingua amorosa i dolci detti ? 
Esce da vaghi labbra Faurea catena, 
Che Falme a suo voler prende ed affrena." 



PROSPECTUS 



PART SECOND. 



HAVING discriminated the essentials of pure and illicit attach- 
ment, we established the universal influence of Love : we traced 
the approximating link of this affection and patriotism ; we 
proved it intimately blended with the desire of emulation; and 
found it conduce to alleviate the pressure of calamity. 

The Second Part of the Poem opens with a delineation of first 
impressions. The time and place selected are the most fascinat- 
ing for their effect ; a summer evening, in the climate of Italy. 
A sketch is given of the ardour and indelibility not unfrequently 
consequent on such attachments, and the joys resulting from pa- 
rental benediction. 



42 PROSPECTUS OF 

A contrast is presented between generous solicitude and un- 
principled ambition; between the parent who promotes the true 
felicity of his offspring, and the man who barters his child for 
the gratifications of pride or avarice. 

Even in that awful dispensation when Reason slumbers, and 
motley ideas whimsically chequered ' flit through the chambers 
of the brain,' Love operates as the spring of joy, and dances in 
all the bewildered mazes of thought. 

The refinements of this principle the sensualist can never know. 
Yet even these, if unrestrained, may hurry to a culpable excess. 
Of this melancholy truth we have some forcible illustrations. 

. Love also introduces to our society the charms of her « meek- 
eyed sister.' The influence of this pleasing relative improves and 
delights the heart; prompts to the exertions of benevolence; 
and ensures to the unhappy, riches in poverty and health in 
sickness. 

in a seclusion from the busy scenes of life, we recognize the 
value of connubial love. Our virtues are brightened by collision; 






PART SECOND. 43 

our charities purified by intercourse; and tender pledges of af- 
fection draw closer the indissoluble knot of happiness. 

The susceptibilities of honourable attachment are degraded in 
this " age of reason 5" and the fashionable profligate insinuates 
the gothicism of such trammels. Yet, how dear to a sensitive 
heart are solitude and love ! — to enjoy the variegated landscape ; 
to steal the colours of the dawn, and catch the last smile of declin- 
ing day; whilst, in the calm serenity of hope, we 

" look from Nature up to Nature's God." 

These subjects having been discussed, the Poem concludes with 
suggesting the utility of this affection, in many points of cardinal 
moment ; in refining taste, and expanding intellect ; in mel- 
lowing the crudities of Nature, imping the wing of Genius, and 
embellishing the courtesies of manner : and deduces, from histo- 
rical evidence, the irrefragable connection that subsists between 
virtue and happiness. 



PLEASURES OF LOVE. 



PART II. 



Come, sweet-lfpp'd Flora, nursed on Latian land, 

With balmy kiss thy petal bloom expand ; 

Thy silver bells, thy cups of bossy gold, 

Thy gayest smiles, and softest tints unfold : 

Wake the young Zephyrs, in thy tulip-bowers, 5 

And bring thy tender dews, thy sunny showers : 

And thou, sweet nymph, who bidd'st the tender vine, 

Her flexile arms around her lover twine, 

Pomona, come ! embalm the honied eve ; 

The burnish'd sheaf, the ruddy fruitage give ; 10 



<6 THE PLEASURES 



Hesperian clusters o'er the foliage throw, 
And teach the vegetable gold to glow : 
Then wind with me the orange-shaded wave, 
Where sea-flowers swim, and snowy naiads lave ; 
Now bend delighted o'er the wave-wash'd sedge, 15 
Now dip the white foot in the gelid edge : 
Where flush'd with health the goat-maid trips along, 
And carols merrily her wild-note song. 

How sweet ! to roam by Baia's siren shore, 
And catch the music of the dashing oar ; 20 

When day's last glimmer tints the classic ground, 
As Love and Silence shed their magic 'round ; 
While doves responsive coo in soft retreat ; 
And waves cerulean murmur at the feet ! 

Yes, o'er those scenes though ruin still preside, 25 
And strew with many a flower the pensive tide ; 
The marble columns smile in rival art, 
To charm the eye and captivate the heart ; 



OF LOVE. 47 

And granite piles in rude disorder placed, 

Still breathe enchantment o'er the desert waste. 30 

Here warriors erst, whose nod the world subdued, 

At Beauty's knee for Beauty's fetters sued ; 

Rome's gallant youth, of gay and martial mien, 

Graced in the barge the fascinating scene; 

To melting lutes prolong'd the pause of love, 35 

And with soft echoes thrill'd the warbling grove. 

In Tuscan bowers, where silvery Arno laves 
The flowers and fruitage nodding o'er his waves, 
Embowered in Solitude's romantic dell, 
Unseen the sweet Louisa loved to dwell. 40 

Her eyes shone lambent, in pellucid blue, 
Bright as the liquid gems of Hermon's dew ; 
Her cheek's carnation own'd the dazzling red, 
That sips the blush by Sharon's roses fed j 
In tissue fine the auburn tresses deck 45 

Her shoulders fair, and climb her ivory neck ; 
In ringlets smooth around her bosom twine, 
And float, a silk veil, o'er the snowy shrine. 



48 THE PLEASURES 

Her form elastic rivall'd every grace, 

That smiled assuasive o'er her perfect face. 50 

Fleet as the chamois skims the bending dew, 

Through grove, and mead, at morn Louisa flew ; 

Kiss'd dawning sweets, that shook their crystal bells, 

The timid floret opening all her cells ; 

Sees the blithe kids o'er scented herbage rove, 55 

And the poised lark attune his hymn of love. 

And oft, at eve, when balmy leaflets sigh, 

And fires delicious arm the kindling eye ; 

In vistas laid the glossy chesnuts play, 

To screen her slumbers from the glare of day. 60 

Eve's car descends ! the green-tress'd naiads swim 
The buoyant flood, and dash the silvery limb ; 
While pleasure-bugles woke the cheering swell, 
O'er pearly grot, wild shore, and winding dell ; 
And whispering rocks in fainter echoes sound, 65 

As fainter still the music dies around. 
Lured by delight, Rosario treads the grove, 
The soft retreat of Solitude and Love. 



OF LOVE. 49 

He sees ! he gazes ! ah ! what tongue can speak ! 

A light blush mantles o'er her angel- cheek : 70 

One snowy arm upon her bosom laid, 

One snowy arm supports the sleeping maid ; 

On a gay bank, where heath-bells sweetly blow, 

And azure waves in cool luxuriance flow. 

There had she twined fantastic wreaths, to deck 75 

With branching gold her timid favourite's neck, 

A graceful fawn, that gambol' d by her side, 

And dipp'd his bosom in the limpid tide. 

She wakes ! she starts ! a rich suffusion dyes 
Her varying cheek, and lights her timid eyes ; 80 

O'er every charm delicious languors stream, 
In every glance attractive beauties beam : 
High throbs the pulse ; the gushing rills pervade 
Each vital vein, and paint a deeper shade ; 
On the pink lips, the neck bewitching, glow, 85 

And streak with purple bright the breast of snow. 
Thus the thrill' d nerves, as fires electric dart, 
Shoot o'er the frame, and vibrate to the heart ! 

E 



50 THE PLEASURES 

By love seduced, Rosario joys to roam, 
Far from his childhood hills, his sylvan home. 90 

Yet still untold, the vows reluctant hung 
In mute confusion on his lingering tongue : 
Ye blushing fair ! the soft perfection teach, 
The silent " eloquence that passeth speech ;" 
Ah ! tell how true, in spell of magic fine, 95 

The matchless graces of expression shine ! 

Both form'd for love, attractive Loves attired ; 
Excelling charms in either form conspired : 
O'er the fond youth the jocund summers break, 
That fledge with down the ruddy-mantled cheek ; 100 
In gay Louisa's fascinating mien 
Sport the rich graces of unmatch'd sixteen. 

Now, urged by doubt, he roams the olive grove, 
And hope and fear alternate empire prove : 
Now by the grey .moss rock he musing leans, 105 

Nor smile die almond bowers, the pansied scenes. 



OF LOVE. 51 

Hush'd is the wood ; in slumber sweet reclined, 

No tremulous aspen shivers in the wind : 

Fair as the haunts, where erst in vernal hours 

The rose-lipp'd Zephyr crown'd the queen of flowers ; 

And piping Pan, and all the Satyr train, 1 J 1 

In festive gambol beat the scented plain. 

Then, he attunes to love his light guitar, 

And hovering echoes float the strains afar. 



CANZONETTE. 

Cease, fond bosom, nor complain ! 115 

Fire her eye, but ice her heart ; 
What of smiles ? she smiles at pain ! 

Smiles but barb the burning dart. 

Maid so dear ! my soul adores thee !• 

Sooth, ah! sooth my fears to rest] 120 

e2 



52 THE PLEASURES 

Smile, sweet maid ! a smile restores me, 
Gives back hope, and makes me blest I 

When forlorn, for thee I languish, 

Say then, cruel ! wouldst thou fly ? 
Leave this aching heart to anguish ? 125 

Hear me mourn, and see me die ? 

Louisa hears with joy the tender woe, 
And smiles, the hope responsive to bestow ; 
Her lucid eye emits a quivering fire, 
The chasten'd glow of innocent desire. 130 

The milk-white swan thus skims the fluid way, 
And sees her silver down, reflected, play ; 
Hides, with delight, her osier isles among, 
And trills in music sweet her plaintive song. 

Love slyly laughs, and bids gay Hymen bind 135 
The hallow'd wreath, to link the kindred mind $ 



OF LOVE. 53 

With genial torch to gild the nuptial hour, 
And o'er the scene propitious pleasures pour ! 

Nor blush, Philander, if in votive lay ( T ) 
The lyre of Love to thee it's homage pay ! 140 

When to thy breast young beauty's smiles endear 
A virtuous heart, unvarnish'd and sincere : 
Her eye of blue the rural Loves illume, 
And on her cheek the wildwood-roses bloom. 

The cottage-fair, from Harrow's flowery side, 145 
Philander wooes, nor wooes to be denied : 
" No friend (she says) of wealthy store we claim ; 
No deeds of prowess gild our humble name." 
Content with what he views, he seeks no more, 
No deeds of prowess and no wealthy store. 150 

The maid he loves ; he wins her tell-tale eyes, 
Crowns modest worth, and clasps his blooming prize. 

How pure the bond ! how feathery- footed flies 
The first-born hour, when sympathies arise ! 



54 THE PLEASURES 

When sunny Love, unsullied and supreme, 155 

Weaves in gay hue enchantment's silken dream. 

Ah ! whence the change, when not a pleasure smiles, 
And not a charm the penance-day beguiles ? 
When palsied age, absorb'd in peevish fear, 
Chills with a frown ; nor melts at beauty's tear ? 160 
'Tis hoary winter rifles all the spring, 
And plucks the rose from Love's expanded wing ! 
Or, torn in early bloom, parental power 
To death consigns the sweet attractive flower ! 
Else, could the fair with youth and beauty blest, 165 
By all the Loves and all the Graces drest, 
For wrinkled wealth true happiness resign, 
In the poor harlotry of gold to shine ? 

Spirit of light ! who from the ambient sky 
Bidd'st the fine shaft to every bosom fly; 170 

Whose glow in wildest haunts the breast pervades, 
In Arab deserts, or Canadian shades ; 



OF LOVE. 55 

And o'er the polish'd mind more sweetly pours 

Thy soften'd joys and love-embosom'd hours : 

Say, by what impulse springs the ravish'd heart 175 

A bliss to own, a rapture to impart ? 

Why the bright smile, ere now unfelt, appears 

More lovely far than each that fancy wears? 

What the pure source, congenial spirits, speak! 

When the first crimson flushes o'er the cheek; 180 

When the first sparkle quivers in the eye ; 

When the first throb awakes the raptured sigh ! 

Touch'd by thy wand, each iron bosom feels, 
And melts to bliss as passion's glow reveals. 
In motliest shape the pleasing visions swell, 185 

Nor age nor genius wards the potent spell; 
Mid tropic fires, mid polar frosts, it thrills 
On Lybia's sands, and bleak Columbians hills. 

Lamented Andre ! o'er whose early bier ( 2 ) 
The muse of Seward pours the patriot-tear ; 190 



56 THE PLEASURES 

The laureate bowers, the clustering myrtles weep, 

As pity points where youth and glory sleep ! 

Thy pensive fate the bending virtues mourn, 

And crowd with weeping Loves thy funeral urn ! 

Bereft Honora ! though the icy shade 195 

Blight thy fine form, and bid thy dimples fade; 

Though in rich bloom no more we joy to trace 

Thy cheek's fine glow, thine eye's illumined grace ; 

The lovely harmonist, in plaintive swell, 

Chaunts hallow'd requiems o'er thy narrow cell. 200 

Nor youth's bright tints, nor beauty's seraph smile, 
A parent's prudent cruelty beguile ! 
Bid soft affection melt the flinty soul, 
Or pierce the adamant of stern controul. 

With starry night behold the mourner rove 205 

The hills of slain, to clasp her clay-cold love ; ( 3 ) 
Wind 'round his gory neck her ivory arms, 
And press his lip, and hang upon his charms ; 



OF LOVE. 57 



The manly form that stemm'd in glorious might 
The crested terrours of the doubtful fight, 210 

No more with conquest plumed returns to grace 
The winning smiles of Ariana's face. 

And shall no pang the callous bosom feel ? 
O'er the sear'd heart no dews of pity steal ? 
Yes ! the proud cheek may yet be blanch'd with fear ; 
Ambition's eye be sainted by a tear ! ( 4 ) 216 

In fatal prejudice what visions roll, 
To dim the blaze of Eloisa's soul ! ( 5 ) 
With sophist chain the wings of truth to bind, 
And cramp the vigour of th' aspiring mind ! 220 

Love bids her son the robe of science steal, 
And screen his fond eye in her sober veil ; 
In learning's lore his rosy snares dispense, 
And mask with reason passion's eloquence. 
The boy, submissive to maternal care, 225 

Soils his gold curls and apes the stoic air : 



58 THE PLEASURES 

His frolic eyes no more exulting beam ; 

O'er his white brow no golden ringlets stream. 

Soon from his bow the amber shaft he wings : 

Soon in her heart the tingling arrow rings. 230 

No more disguised, the urchin peeps to view, 
Now bloom his dimpling cheeks with brighter hue ; 
Unwonted sparkles quiver as he speaks, 
And gems of pleasure dew his sobbing cheeks. 
As her rich lip with melting kiss he press'd, 235 

Her glowing frame a softer thrill confess'd ■ 
Delighted, won, she hails the new alarms ; 
And sinks, embosom'd in his 'circling arms. 

Undying Love sway'd Eloisa's heart, 
In early bloom from life's fond hopes to part ; 240 

Chiird the warm blood that fed recorded fires, 
And throbb'd in every vein to soft desires ; 
.Led the pleas d victim to a living tomb, 
1 o " watch and weep in solitary gloom : 



OF LOVE. 59 

Yet Love alone the crimson fountain sips, 245 

And Love alone is pillow'd on her lips ; 

One only smile her widow'd bosom feels ; 

One only form along the cloister steals ; 

One only voice bids joy enthusiast move, 

And melts the soul to harmony and love. 250 

When the soft vespers sooth'd each care to rest, 
Love unsubdued still triumph'd in her breast ; 
Her fervid sighs from Paraclete resound ; 
St. Gilda's cells re-vibrate to each sound, ( 6 ) 
With moans record the well remember' d moan, 255 
Count tear for tear, and echo groan for groan. 

Doubt not, if female constancy excite 
Charms to attract, and virtues to delight! 
Say in what heart can nature's ardours prove 
A firmer friendship ; or a purer love ? 260 

Through toil, and woe, and war's unblest alarms, 
The matron clasp'd her Pompey in her arms ; (7) 



60 THE PLEASURES 

Explored, with fearless step, where duty led; 
The stone her pillow, and the wild her bed ! 

Her faith to prove, great Portia smiled to bleed, ( 8 ) 
Ere her loved lord confides the daring deed : c 266 

Her ivory skin the gushing crimson dyes, 
While streams of rapture tremble in her eyes ! 

Lo ! the fond pair ! where glows the vengeful pyre ; 
The circling faggots reddening at the fire. (?) 270 

In rival zeal th' intrepid lovers stand, 
Court the red death, and urge the hissing brand. 
Impell'd by love, Olindo's bosom burns 
To spring on fate, and shield the fair he mourns ; 
With equal warmth the lovely maid contends, 275 

€i Mine is the crime, on me the lot descends ;** 
And longs to prove, in sweet heroic strife, 
The bliss by death to save a lover's life ! 

By Ganges' banks, high plumed with feathery cane, 
Where suns perennial flush the snowy grain ; 280 



OF LOVE. 61 



The sweet enthusiast climbs the funeral bed, 
Clasps the cold corse, and pillows on the dead. 

Nor time can blunt, nor absence can controul 
The fine vibrations of the female soul ; 
To other haunts and fairer scenes they turn, 285 

Feel o'er their joys, and still responsive burn ; 
Embalm the hopes that brighter hours confess'd, 
By love exalted and by friendship bless'd* 
Yes, woman boasts a heart as purely true, 
As nature fashion'd or as fancy drew ! 290 

Thus, when with rival oars the suitor train 
Launch' d the proud prows, to plough th' Ionian main % 
Penelope in grace illusive smiles, ( TO ) 
Spreads all her charms, and marshals all her wiles ; 
And still the choice with blameless guile delays, 295 
'Till, all her toil, Ulysses' smile repays. 

Nor should neglect, which galls the generous mind. 
The sacred tie of kindred hearts unbind \ 



62 THE PLEASURES 

Neglect, that blights with more than Gorgon power 

The sunny landscape of an happier hour ! 30O 

How dear the fair, whose mild and cheerful mien 

Can gild life's little shades with hope serene ! 

No harlot rouge bids nature's roses fir, 

Or lights the wanton radiance of her eye ; 

But prudence speaks in each ingenuous ray, 305 

And gay good humour's orient beauties play. 

And, should the truant-heart eccentric roam, 

With winning grace she lures the wanderer home ; 

The soft allurement speeds in duty drest ; 

And clasps the dear offender to her breast. 310 

Thus Caesar's sister, hapless consort ! strove 
With the cold pangs of unrequited love ; 
With lenient balm bade mercy's sigh assuage 
Th' indignant throbbings of a brother's rage ; 
And breathed with magic mild her generous breath, 315 
To snatch her guilty Antony from death. 



OF LOVE. 63 

Hark ! to iEolian harps the maniac sings, 
While sunny hope paints love's ambrosial wings I 
No plaintive dirge marks Henry's holy grave ; 
'Round his loved form no foaming billows rave : 320 
Far other sounds her 'raptured ear invade, 
Far other visions bless the happy maid ! 

Two little days on gilded down had flown, 
Since the fond youth first call'd the fair his own ; 
When the war-drum beat loud the martial call, 325 
His bride he leaves, to conquer or to fall. 
As by his side the temper'd steel he binds, 
His nodding plumage dances to the winds ; 
A transient smile her fainting spirit charms, 
He clasps the pensive beauty in his arms ! 330 

" Ah ! think (he sighs) though honour's high behest 
Beat the alarum in thy soldier's breast, 
His heart with thine can melt in fondest care ; 
Would sooth thy fears, thy kind emotions share ; 
Yet, dear one, say ! would' st thou in sloth confine 335 
These eager arms, now rivetted with thine ? 



64 THE PLEASURES 

And give this besom to the whelming sod ; 

My name unknown ; my path of fame untrod !" 

And now, by glory roused, he ploughs the flood, 
Where lash'd by storms the giant Pharos stood. 340 
Nile's foamy shore the dauntless Britons gain, 
And fame's own banner fans the laurell'd plain. ( T2 ) 
As near the foe th' intrepid hero stands, 
And points the tube, and fires his native bands ; 
In wheeling charge th ? impetuous hussars rush, 345 
From Henry's breast the vital torrents gush : 
Soon, fainting life sustains the heart no more ; 
In victory's lap he sleeps, on ^Egypt's shore. 

Yet hope still cheats the lovely maniac's hours, 
And decks her pillow with the gaudiest flowers ; 350 
Still partial fancy gilds the lurid skies, 
With the bright magic of her rainbow dyes ; 
And memory pictures in her fairy dream, 
Scenes ever-loved, and joys that dearer seem. 



OF LOVE. 65 

Now the poor maniac strews with roses gay 355 

The bridal couch for Henry, far away ; 
Now sees, or thinks she sees, the tall bark nigh 
Cleave with exulting prow the billows high : 
The melting lute, in symphony of song, 
Soft pity swells, her weeping groves among. 360 

Come, love, for thee the couch I strew, 

It's cushions gay of bridal bloom ; 
A bed of roses dipt in dew, 

And bathed in sweets of spring-perfume ! 

No, false one, stay ; yet, yet behold 365 

The form so dear, as once you swore : 

Are soil'd my waving locks of gold ? 
And roll my azure eyes no more ? 

Are pale the lips, by rubies fed, 

With honied smiles that pouting shone ? 370 

Are white the cheeks of carmine- red, 

That blush'd for you, and you alone ? 

F 



66 THE PLEASURES 

How dark is the night ! and how cold is the dew I 

See the spangles, that silver my hair ! 
Loud whistles the storm, but no Henry's in view : 375 

Ah ! my bosom it bums in the air ! 

Now the moon gilds the deep; lo ! the canvass, it swells; 

And the ocean reflects the blue sky ; 
And the zephyrs breathe soft, from their balm-scented 
cells, 

To woo the white sail with a sigh. 380 

List, list, he sings ! the warrior sings ! 

" Thy soldier flies his faith to prove ; 
" Yes, yes, to clasp thee, see ! he springs ! 

" My true, my only love." 

How lorn the man for whom the vices spring, 385 
And shake contagion from their mildew'd wing ! 
Whose hour of pain no cordial smile can cheer, 
But lives unloved, and dies without a tear ! 



OF LOVE. 67 

Though vicious joys their giddy circle run, 
His soul is faint, by fancied bliss undone, 390 

And true to vengeance, ruin hoards her store, 
When folly's syren-song enchants no more. 

Ye, whose fine hearts with glow enthusiast prove 
The flow of pity, and the fire of love ; 
At reason's call, O ! recollect your kind, 395 

And rouse the dormant energies of mind : 
Or soon unchecked, beneath its Lunar sway 
Life's lessening flood with murmurs ebbs away ! 

As, when o'er Norway's wastes the traveller goes, 
Keen cut the winds, that sweep the drifted snows. 400 
Should fatal torpour o'er the senses creep, 
No pitying angels whelm his lids in sleep : 
Lethargic slumbers dim the glazy eye ; 
And, if subdued he sleeps, he sleeps to die. ( ! *) 

Yon tall grass wild, where high the lime-trees wave, ( I4 ) 
Moans in the breeze o'er Werter's lonely grave. 406 



68 THE PLEASURES 

Victim of frenzy! pencil'd in each hue, 

As gaudy fine as fancy ever drew! 

The fiery shaft to shun he feebly tries* 

And sinks beneath the lightning of her eyes. 410 

One meteor ray illumes the ambient gloom, 

It dimly hovers o'er the clay -cold tomb ; 

And points, blest harbinger ! the happier shore, 

Where Charlotte blooms, to fly his arms no more. 

O ! let the maid, when hope's gay whispers speak, 
And light the warm suffusion on her cheek ; 41(> 

Though her thrill'd nerves soft passion's ingress feel, 
From the dear youth th* intrusive guest conceal ; 
Ne'er let his dubious vows her bosom move 
To soft confessions of confiding love ; 420 

Ne'er let her scorn the barriers fenced by pride, 
Where truth, esteem, and modesty preside L 
Else will the lovely victim, left to mourn, 
Her victor curse, yet weep for his return ! 

His tide where foaming Adria pours, 425 

And Venice swells her marble towers ; 



OF LOVE. 69 

And bright an hundred turrets gleam, 

Reflected in the mirror- stream ; 

There skims the Gondola along, 

With silver oar and plaintive song : 430 

As lorn the graceful mourner sings, 

And tears bedew the sighing strings. 



CANZONETTE. 

One only youth I fondly loved, 

I thought him true, the hope was vain ! 

For soon his heart a rover proved, 4/35 

And left this bosom nought but pain ! 

Though to each flower by Brenta's stream, 

As swift we cut the glassy tide, 
He swore our hearts (ah ! fade the dream !) 

Nor time should change, nor fate divide, 440 



70 THE PLEASURES 



Soft was the flute he pensive play'd : 
So sweet he sigh'd, he lock'd so true ; 

My heart he won : fond easy maid ! 
He own'd no heart, that beat for you. 

On the mute oar, the gondolier 445 

Attentive lists the melting strain ; 
It sooths the heart, it charms the ear; 

But never, never wakes again ! 

And see ! all loose, o'er Leucate's rock reclined, 
Beauty's fair tresses stream upon the wind ! (*5) 450 
Light swells the lyre, with music's echoes fraught, 
And each fine string glows eloquent with thought ! 
See, now the Lesbian mounts the giddy brow, 
While loud and wild the surges roar below ; 
O'er the proud cliff the sparkling billow braves, 455 
Springs into air, and sinks amid the waves. 

Connubial love ! thy .smiles, diffusive, light 
The virtuous heart to innocent delight. 



OF LOVE. 

Shrined in thy breast, entranced affection lies, 

And lights the tell-tale magic of thine eyes. 460 

Recal the scenes, when infant passion sprung, 
And thrilling music on each accent hung ; 
When the new heart, by hopes seductive kd 9 
Felt beauty's fire, and waked as from the dead ; 
Bade through each vein exulting currents swim, 465 
Tuned the mute nerve, and poised the elastic limb ; 
Gave to expression's grace a richer glow, 
The eye to sparkle, and the cheek to blow ; 
Then say, how soft the retrospective view 
Endears the past, and lures us to pursue ! 470 

Thus when, for home unfurl'd his eager sail, 
The ardent sailor wooes the favouring gale, 
O'er well-known waves his dancing ensign steers ; 
The land-marks rise, the nearing shore appears; 
With thousand joys each distant vision teems, 473 

Of halcyon hours, and sweetly cherish'd dreams I 



72 THE PLEASURES 



How dear to her he meets, each danger o'er, 
The refluent tide that wafts him to the shore ! 

Should heaven propitious crown the nuptial prayer, 
And prattling cherubs wake parental care ; 480 

O'er budding cheeks when infant roses rise, 
And twinkling lustres light the starry eyes ; 
How sweet the task, the flexile thought to mould, 
And childhood's germs of fancy to unfold ! 

Lo ! on that couch no throb the heart illumes ; 485 
His icy lance the tyrant grim assumes I 
Yet, power of Love ! e'en here thy beams dispel 
The gloom, where pain and melancholy dwell ; 
Thy lenient balsam sooths the barbed hours, 
And strews the pillow with its latest flowers. 490 

O! flatterer sweet, who pour'st a lucid ray 
O'er the calm close of life's eventful day ; 
When bliss no longer spurs the torpid heart, 
It's pulses flutter, and it's joys depart ; 



OF LOVE. 73 

In the dread hour, when worlds unknown invite 495 
The struggling soul to urge th' unmeasured flight, 
O'er the glazed eye thy duteous ardours shed 
A lambent smile, and raise the fainting head ; 
Thine incense mingles with the parting breath, 
And gilds with faith and hope the gloom of death ; 500 
Thou bidd'st the soul while calm, serene the breast, 
Take the dove's wings, and far from sorrow rest ! 

! 

When pensive memory wakes from every cell 
The sleeping visions, that she loves so well ; 
True to her call, their long-lost beauties give 505 

A semblance fair, that seems again to live ; 
And still it charms, as faded pleasures smile, 
To seethe cheat the mourner's heart beguile ! 

I 

There, sorrowing angels grace the marble bed, 
And bind their garlands 'round the patriot's head ! 510 
There o'er his bier Serena steals to lean, 
And thinks she sees him, as she once has seen ! 



THE PLEASURES 

His was the heart, to honour's impulse true, 

The base to scorn, the lofty to pursue ; 

By rank emblazon'd, and by fortune graced ; 515 

Too wise to hoard, too provident to waste ; 

His every thought and every action just : 

His sovereign's stay, his weeping country's trust : 

Ah ! yet, Serena ! o'er those ashes bend ; 

Those were Palaemon, and the muse's friend ! 520 

When, launch'd by fate, the shaft unerring flies, 
To dim the hope that laugh'd in beauty's eyes ; 
O'er the sad grave, and 'round the fluted urn, 
We pansies strew and softly pensive mourn ; 
The well-known step in every wind we hear, 525 

The voice so loved yet charms affection's ear ; 
In gay illusion smile the form, the face, 
Rich in each tint and glowing in each grace. 

O ! crowd with rival sweets Sabina's tomb, 
And give her turf to wear immortal bloom ! 530 



OF LOVE. 75 

For there inura'd earth's purest beauties rest ; 
Strew then with purest flowers her lily-breast. 

Ye wedded fair ! if passion's guilty fire 
Usurp the heart, and urge the wild desire ; 
Far from the bosom let the torch be thrown, 535 

And faith and innocence be all it's own ! 
Soon pleasure dies, the brief delirium o'er ; 
But anguish wakes the worm that dies no more. 

How changed the hours, as flies the halcyon scene, 
Where beauty shone unsullied and serene ! 540 

'Round the climb' d knee no prattling cherubs cling, 
The infant-lips no vesper anthems sing ; 
No fine emotions light the ravish'd eye, 
To catch expression's graces^ as they fly ! 
No lisping tongue, no laughing eyes, proclaim 5i<5 

A mother's blessing, in a mother's name ! 
Too late, contrition pours the scalding tear, ( l6 ) 
To dress in sallow grief the virtues' bier I 



76 THE PLEASURES 

Blest is the man, for whom content arrays 
Truth's angel smile, and lights with peace his days ! 
Whose generous heart, each selfish care unknown, 551 
Feels other's woes and other's joys it's own ; 
Who nobly yields to beauty's radiant charms, 
Owns her pure triumph, clasp'd within her arms ; 
And joys upon her bosom to repose, 555 

When all the soul in thrills of rapture glows. 

Yes, Love connubial sheds celestial grace, 
And smiles unfading light her blooming face. 
Still for calm scenes and rural shades she sighs, 
For limpid streamlets and for sapphire skies ! 560 

Now climbs, with orient morn, the wood-cliff steep, 
And marks the first blush on the rosy deep ! 
Now roves with eve, where spicy arbours swell, 
And counts the tinkles of the distant bell ; 
As russet toil embrowns the village throng, 565 

t And festive echo wafts the mirth along, 

O ! ever thus let woman's witching bloom 
ling ethe fair cheek, the lucid eye illume; 



OF LOVE. 77 

Bend every nerve to beauty's fine control, 

And guide each rising impulse of the soul ; 570 

O'er every brow her wreaths of myrtle bind* 

And care and sorrow scatter to the wind ; 

Bid with strong flame the fire of genius glow, 

And weave her lilies 'round his youthful brow ! 

Yet should, perchance, unhallow'd vows profane 575 

Her sainted joys, her snowy altar stain ; 

If pride and avarice to her temple move,, 

O ! frown indignant on polluted love ! 

Bid snaky hate the nuptial mazes dance* 

And keen suspicion dart the jaundiced glance ; 580 

Bid jealous fear in livid misery glare, 

And feel the icy arrows of despair ! 

Hail ! sweetest love ! thy vivid colours glow, 
Dipt in the smiles of heaven's refulgent bow ! 
In Eden's vernal bowers, thy nascent charms 585 

Won the great sire of mortals to thine arms ; 
When, crown'd with gold, the starry choirs sublime, 
Attuned their viols to the birth of Time: 



78 THE PLEASURES OF LOVE. 

E'en in that hour when first entranced, he stood, 

And saw thee slumber in the citron-woocM 590 

Soft as he prest thy cheeks so rosy fine, 

And smoothed with fingers light thy locks divine; 

Thou bad'st each pulse, in high vibration own, 

That bliss is nursed in Woman's smile alone. 

For say, can all that wealth or pride would give, 595 
Bid on the brow a wreath, like beauty's, live ? 
Can all ambition's spoil a bliss impart, 
Like woman's magic on the feeling heart ; 
The hopes, the joys, the soft bewitching fears, 
The smiles, the sighs, the languor of her tears ? 600 
Her hand unlocks the spring of joy below, 
And bids around the streams of pity flow ! 
Hail, power of Love ! on earth each bosom fire, 
'Till Time in dread eternity expire \ 

THE END. 



NOTES, 



NOTES 



ON 

PART THE FIRST. 



NOTES 

ON 

PART THE FIRST. 

NOTE1. Verse 147- 

" The polish'd knee, a fringing curtain, spread." 

The dress of Suzette, as here described, is that worn 
by the female peasants of the village of Langenau. 

NOTE 2. Verse 153. 
" O'er calm Helvetia roll'd the loud alarm/' 



This alludes to the violation of Swiss independence, 
by the First Consul of France, in 1802. 
g2 



34 NOTES ON 

NOTE 3. Verse 192. 

* When near Lausanne the Patriot legions fought." 

The effrontery of French interference roused the 
patriot bands of Swisserland to arms. A battle was 
fought near Lausanne, on the 3d October, 1802. The 
confederates were triumphant : and the peasants of 
the mountainous cantons were proudly conspicuous 
in the glory and the dangers of the day. 

NOTE 4. Verse 212. 

" Propt on Morgarten's beamy height.' 7 

" In 1315, Leopold, Duke of Austria, marched 
against the confederate cantons, at the head of twenty 
thousand troops ; and endeavouring to force his way 



PART THE FIRST. S5 

into Schweitz, at the streights of Morgarten, received 
a total defeat from thirteen hundred Swiss, who were 
posted upon the mountains. If we may believe con- 
temporary historians, the Swiss lost but fourteen men 
in this memorable engagement which insured their 
independence ! In the same year the three cantons, 
Schweitz, Uri, and Underwalden, contracted a per- 
petual alliance, which was ratified at Brunnen; and 
is the grand foundation of the Helvetic confederacy." 

( Coxe, ) 



NOTE 5. Verse 220. 

" On Reding's lance she pensive leans." 

Aloys Reding, one of the most distinguished leaders 
of the Swiss patriots, in modern times, 



$6 NOTES ON 

NOTE 6. Verse 279. 

" Lo 1 on that gory beach, the murderers slew 
The guiltless Indians of the light canoe !" 

In the spring of the year 1774, a robbery and mur- 
der were committed on an inhabitant of the frontiers 
of Virginia, by two Indians of the Shawanee tribe. 
The neighbouring whites, according to their custom, 
undertook to punish this outrage in a summary way. 
Colonel Cresap, a man infamous for the many murders 
he had committed on those much-injured people, col- 
lected a party, and proceeded down the Kanhaway in 
quest of vengeance. Unfortunately a canoe of women 
and children, with one man only, was seen coming 
from the opposite shore, unarmed, and unsuspecting 
a hostile attack from the whites. Cresap and his 
party concealed themselves on the bank of the river ; 
and the moment the canoe reached the shore, singled 



PART THE FIRST. 87 

out their objects, arid at one fire, killed every person 
in it. This happened to be the family of Logan, 
who had long been distinguished as a friend of the 
whites. A war ensued, in which Logan signalized 
himself: but the Indians were finally defeated, and 
sued for peace. Logan disdained to be seen amongst 
the suppliants. But lest the sincerity of a treaty 
should be distrusted, from which so distinguished a 
Mingo chief absented himself, he sent by a messenger 
the following speech to be delivered to Lord Duxl- 
more i 

" I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he en- 
tered Logan* s cabin hungry, and he gave him not 
meat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed 
him not. During the course of the last long and 
bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an ad- 
vocate for peace.. Such was my love for the whites, 
that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, 
" Logan is the friend of white men." I had even 



NOTES ON 

thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries 
of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold 
blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of 
Logan, not sparing even my women and children. 
There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of 
any living creature. This called on me for revenge. 
I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully 
glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice at 
the beams of peace. But do not harbour a thought, 
that mine is the joy of fear ! Logan never felt fear. 
He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is 
there to mourn for Logan ? Not one." 

( Morses America* p. 18.) 



NOTE 7. Verse 302. 



; Thus wild through Enna's fields the goddess flies.' 



When Proserpine was carried away by Pluto from 



PART THE FIRST. 89 

the beautiful plains of Enna in Sicily, Ceres in vain 
sought her daughter in every part of that kingdom. 
On the approach of night, she lighted two torches at 
the flames of Mount iEtna, to continue her search 
over the world. At length, she discovered the girdle 
of Proserpine on the surface of the waters of the 
fountain Cyane ; and learned the fatal theft from the 
kindness of the nymph Arethusa. 



NOTE 8. Verse 330. 

" Illicit passion owns no angel charm." 

From the earliest antiquity, two goddesses of Love 
were universally recognized ; and their attributes dis- 
tinctly understood : the Venus Pandemos or Popula- 
ris, and the Venus Urania or Caelestis. The for- 
mer, the goddess of wanton, the latter, of virtuous 
Love. 



! 



90 NOTES ON 

NOTE 9. Verse 340. 

" When down the Cydnus ^Egypt's galley rolPd." 

The beautful Cleopatra, having supported the con- 
spirators of Caesar, was surrtmoned by Mark Antony, 
on his expedition to Parthia, to answer for her con- 
duct* She relied on her charms for an honourable 
acquittal. Luxuriantly habited in the profusion even 
of oriental magnificence, which displayed to imposing 
advantage the splendour of her attractions, she made 
the conquest of his heart. The victory was fatal ! 
When Antony and Augustus met afterward at Ac- 
tium, the desertion of Cleopatra early in the action, 
with sixty sail, ruined the fortunes of her lover, and 
lost him the empire of the world. 

For the elegant description of Cleopatra in her 
barge, see Dry den's « All for Love." (III. J 



PART THE FIRST. 91 



NOTE 10. Verse 3S1. 

" Cool'd in the gales of yon iEgean isle, 
O ! wilt thou bask in Beauty's angel-smile." 

On the subject of Achilles in disguise, in the island 
of Scyros, see the beautiful cantata of ff The. Triumph 
©f Glory," by Metastasio* 



NOTE 11. Verse 368. 

" Illicit love there kindles war's alarms." 

The war between Greece and Troy, occasioned by 
the flight of Helen with Paris, 



92 



NOTES ON 



NOTE 12. Verse 374. 

u Lo ! Thais leads ; the furious torches fly." 

Thais instigated Alexander to the burning of Per- 
sepolis : and led the way, it is said, with a torch in 
her hand. 

(Dry den' s Ode on St. Cecilia's Feast.) 



NOTE 13. Verse 378. 

€i Here, when Armida weaves the mystic spell, 

Remote from glory's camp, and honour's band, 
Rinaldo yields to Beauty's soft command." 



In the enchanted island of Armida, when Charles 
and Ubald enter the gardens, they find Rinaldo the 
victim of sensuality. 



PART THE FIRST. 

" Dependent from his side (unusual sight) 
Appear'd a polish' d mirror, beamy bright : 
This in his hand th' enamour'd champion raised 5 
On this, with smiles, the fair Armida gazed. 
She in the glass her form reflected 'spies, 
And he consults the mirror of her eyes. 
One proud to rule, one prouder to obey ; 
He blest in her, and she in Beauty's sway. 

NOTE 14. Verse 384. 
u Yet when the shield displays, in wild surprize." 

Rinaldo, when the knights he spies, 



When their bright armour lightens in his eyes, 
At once the glorious beams his soul inspire, 
His breast rekindles with a martial fire. 
Then sudden, forth advancing, Ubald held 
Before the youth his adamantine shield. 



94 NOTES ON 



■ Awhile the youth in silence mused, 

All motionless he stood, with looks confused ; 
'Till shame gave way, and stronger anger rose, 
A generous anger that from reason flows : 
O'er all his face a nobler ardour flies, 
Flames on his cheek, and sparkles in his eyes. 

Now hastening from the bower, their way they hold, 



Tassels Jerusalem Delivered \ by Hoole, 

B. 16. p. 158, 161—163. 

This passage must not be improperly construed. 

Heaven was never meant as a suicide's reward. An 

idea so wild and extravagant could not have been 

cherished but by the miserable enthusiast. 



PART THE FIRST. 95 

Note 15. Verse 414. 
'* O ! lay me by Cettina's wave," &c. 

The charming Tallies of Koter, watered by the 
rivers Kerha, Cettina, and Narenta, are inhabited by 
the Morlacchi, and situated among the inland moun- 
tains of Dalmatia. Fortis says that " the female 
Morlacchi are susceptible of the purest and most last- 
ing attachments. Their sensibility sparkles in their 
eyes ; and they establish a convincing proof that 
delicacy of sentiment can animate minds, not formed 
(or, rather, not corrupted) by society, which we call 
civilized." * 



L 



96 



NOTES ON 



NOTE 16- Verse 438. 

« Thus where Pomona, cradled by the storm." 

The mainland or principal island of the Orkneys is 
frequently called Pomona, and the Auroras Boreales 
merry-dancers, by the inhabitants. These are remark- 
ably beautiful and luminous. They constantly ap- 
pear about twilight in clear evenings, and afford great 
relief through the gloom of the tedious wintry nights. 



NOTE 17. Verse 546. 

« How soon dejected Love the veil resign'd, 

That hope's white fingers wove for Darnley's mind ! " 



" Darnley's external accomplishments had excited 
the sudden and violent passion, which raised him to 



PART THE FIRST. 97 

the throne. Bat the qualities of his mind corresponded 
ill with the beauty of his person. Of a weak under- 
standing, and without experience, conceited at the 
same time of his own abilities, and ascribing his ex- 
traordinary success entirely to his distinguished merit. 
All the Queen's favour made no impression on such 
a temper. All her gentleness could not bridle his 
imperious and ungovernable spirit. All her attention 
to place about him persons capable of directing his 
conduct, could not preserve him from rash and impru^ 
dent actions. Fond of all the amusements, and even 
prone to all the vices of youth, he became by degrees 
careless of her person, and a stranger to her company. 
To a woman, and a Queen, such behaviour was into- 
lerable. The lower she had stooped to raise him, his 
behaviour appeared the more ungenerous and crimi- 
nal : and in proportion to the strength of her first af- 
fection, was the violence with which her disappointed 
passion now operated. A few months after the mar- 
riage their domestic quarrels began to be observed. 



93 



NOTES ON 



The extravagance of Darnley's ambition gave rise to 
these." 

Robertson s Scotland, b. 4. p. 210. 



NOTE 18. Verse 55S. 

" By her inspired, in fine proportions sprung 
Those rounded limbs, in ease attractive hung." 

The inimitable statue of the Venus de Medicis. 



NOTE 19. Verse 56k 

i( Creative, here, she blended every hue, 
In the rich tints Corregio's pencil drew." 



This alludes to a most charming picture at Flo- 
rence, done by Corregio, representing Love in the 
bloom of youth. 



PART THE FIRST. 



99 



NOTE 20. Verse 566. 
91 O'er sweet Albani's shed her softest light." 

In the palace of Corsini, at Florence, is a most 
beautiful picture, by the pencil of Albani. It repre- 
sents a dance by the Loves, as described in the Poem. 

NOTE 21. Verse 612. 
11 Where Orellana spurns the ocean's bound." 



The river Amazon or Orellana has its source 

amongst the Andes in Peru, and is the largest in the 

known world. It runs at least three thousand miles. 

The expression used, " spurning the ocean's bound," 

is justified by the singular impetus of this river ; for 

dien pouring itself into the ocean (directly under the 

equinoctial line), it repels the brine to the distance of 

many leagues from the land. 

h2 



m 



II 



100 



NOTES ON PART THE FIRST. 



NOTE 22. Verse 674. 



M Can mould, like love, the inexpressive charm.' 



Wealth and power may gratify a temporary vanity, 
and that gratification may assimilate remotely to a 
pleasure ; but neither in effect nor in duration can 
they be compared with the delights resulting from 
virtuous Love. 



NOTES 

ON 

PART THE SECOND. 



NOTES 



PART THE SECOND. 



NOTE 1. Verse 139. 

" Nor blush, Philander, if in votive lay 
The lyre of Love to thee it's homage pay." 

The London diurnal prints some time since related 
a singular instance of " Love at first sight," in the 
example of a merchant of property in that city, and 
Jenny of Harrow, the Cottager's daughter. 



104 NOTES ON 

NOTE 2. Verse 189. 

u Lamented Andre ! o'er whose early bier." 

The unmerited fate of the gallant Major Andre 
is known to every heart of sensibility. It is finely de- 
picted in the elegant " Monody on Major Andre," 
from the glowing pen of Miss Seward. 

NOTE 3. Verse 206. 

" With starry night, behold the mourner rove 
The hills of slain, to clasp her clay-cold love." 

This alludes to the Episode of Teribazus and Ari- 
ana, in Glover's Poem of Leonidas. 

It is here introduced to expose the fatal effects of 



PART THE SECOND. 105 

irrational pride, in agonizing the acute sensations of 
the heart. 

See Glover s LeoniJas, b. 9. 



NOTE 4. Verse 216. 
" Ambition's eye be sainted by a tear/' 

In Xerxes' presence are the bodies placed, 

Nor he forbids. — — — — 






He in dejection had already lost 

His kingly pride, the parent of disdain, 

And cold indifference to human woe. 

Not e'en beside his sister's nobler corse 

Her humble lover could awake his scorn. 

The captives told their piercing tale. He heard, 

He felt awhile compassion. 

G. Leon. b. 10. 



106 NOTES ON 



NOTE 5. Verse 218. 

" In fatal prejudice what visions roll, 
To dim the blaze of Eloisa's soul!" 

Perhaps from Eloisa's fastidious repugnance to the 
nuptial state may be deduced all her subsequent mi- 
series. The lovely enthusiast resisted the warmest 
importunities of Abelard himself, after she had fled 
to his protection from the care of Fulbert : and pre- 
ferred, for a considerable period, an unhallowed to a 
virtuous attachment. So accurately has Pope pre- 
served the spirit of her leters : 

" No, make me mistress of the man I love." 

Pope. 



PART THE SECOND. 107 



NOTE 6, Verse 254. 

" Her fervid sighs from Paraclete resound* 
St. Gildas' cells re-vibrate to each sound.' 9 

When Abelard was appointed superior of the Ab- 
bey of St.Gildas,he removed Eloise from the priory of 
Argenteuil to the Paraclete, of which she was the first 
abbess. A Nunnery was founded there by Innocent 
the 2d in the year 1131. 



NOTE 7. Verse 262. 

" The matron clasp 'd her Pompey in her arms." # 

Cornelia, the wife of Pompey, extolled for her ex- 
alted virtues. 



L 



108 NOTES ON 

NOTE 8. Verse 265, 

" Her faith to prove, great Portia smiled to bleed. " 

" Portia was a daughter of Cato of Utica, and mar- 
ried to Brutus. She was remarkable for her prudence, 
philosophy, courage, and conjugal tenderness. She 
gave herself a heavy wound in the thigh to see with 
what fortitude she could bear pain ; and when her 
husband asked her the reason of it, she said, that she 
wished to try whether she had courage enough to 
share, not only his bed, but his most hidden secrets, 
Brutus was astonished at her constancy, and no 
longer detained from her knowledge the conspiracy 
formed against Julius Caesar." 



NOTE 9. Verse 270. 

" Lo ! the fond pair ! where glows the vengeful pyre ; 
The circling faggots reddening at the fire." 

See the story of Olindo and Sophronia, in Tasso's 
Jerusalem Delivered, b. 2. vol. 1. 



NOTE 10. Verse 293. 
€t Penelope in grace illusive smiles. " 
Penelope, in the absence of Ulysses. 



110 NOTES ON 

NOTE 11. Verse 311. 

" Thus Caesar's sister, hapless consort ! strove." 

Octavia, sister to the Emperor Augustus, and mar- 
ried to Mark Antony. 

NOTE 12. Verse 342. 

" And fame's own banner fans the laurell'd plain." 

This refers to the success of the glorious expedition 
to iEgypt, under General Sir Ralph Abercrcmbie, 
at the landing in March 1801. 



PART THE SECOND. 1J1 

NOTE IS, Verse 40*. 

H And, if subdued he sleeps, he sleeps to die." 

To illustrate this, the following extract from a 
work lately published may be gratifying. 

The scene of action is the island of Terra del Fuego 
at the southern extremity of America. And the time 
January, or the midsummer of that inhospitable 
region. 

" Sir Joseph (then Mr.) Banks and Dr. Solander 
were desirous of availing themselves of a fine day, 
which in that climate is very rare, even at that time 
of the year, to explore a country which had never 
been visited by any Botanist. For this purpose they 
went on shore early in the morning, being twelve in 
company. They presently found great and unex- 



112 NOTES ON 

pected impediments in their progress, by deep swamps 
and thick underwood ; so that they were till 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon employed in ascending a mountain. 
When suddenly the air, which had been till then se- 
rene and mild, became cold and piercing, and snow 
began to fall; notwithstanding which, they proceeded 
in expectation of reaching the rocky part of the hill, 
which lay before them at a small distance. This per- 
severance was rewarded by finding a great variety 
of plants entirely unknown to Botanists. The day 
however was so far spent that it was impossible to 
return to the ship that night, and the cold had by 
this time become very intense, and large quantities of 
snow had fallen, so that the most dreary prospect 
presented itself. Whilst they were proceeding in 
search of the nearest valley, Dr. Solander, who was 
well acquainted w T ith the effects of intense cold, 
having passed over the mountains that divide Sweden 
and Norway, represented to the company the neces- 
sity they were under of continuing in motion, how- 



PART THE SECOND. 113 

ever they might feel themselves attacked by lassitude 
and sluggishness. He assured them, whoever sat 
down would sleep, and whoever slept would wake no 
more. 

" They had not proceeded far before the effects ap- 
prehended began to be felt : and he who had thus 
cautioned others was the first to declare himself unable 
to observe his own precepts. At length overcome by 
a stupor he threw himself on the ground, although it 
was covered with snow. A black servant of Mr. 
Banks, named Richmond, next yielded to the fatal 
propensity. In this distress five of the company were 
sent forward to make a fire at the first convenient 
place they could find, while the rest continued with 
the doctor, making use of every means to keep him 
awake. The poor negro was so overcome with fa- 
tigue, that, being told he must keep in motion, or he 
would be frozen to death, he replied, that he desired 
only to lie down and die. At length all the en- 



114 NOTES ON 



deavours of the company were ineffectual, their whole 
strength was not sufficient to carry their two exhaust- 
ed companions, so that they were suffered to sit down, 
and in a short time fell into a sound sieep. In a few 
minutes after, news was brought that a fire was kindled 
at the distance of about a quarter of a mile. Dr. 
Solander was then waked with great difficulty, but 
during his short sleep his muscles were become so 
contracted, that his shoes fell off from his feet, and 
he had almost lost the use of his limbs : but all at- 
tempts to wake the servant were ineffectual. Two 
men who seemed to have suffered the least by the 
cold, w T ere left to look after him ; and in a short 
time two others were sent to their relief. One of the 
former rejoined the company, but the other was quite 
insensible. Their companions however made them a 
bed of boughs, and spread the same covering over 
them to a considerable height, and in this situation 
left them. — 






PART THE SECOND. 115 



It was not till 6 o'clock in the morning that they 
could discover the place of the sun through the clouds 
which then began somewhat to disperse. With fore- 
boding apprehensions, they went in search of poor 
Richmond and the other man, whom they found quite 
dead." 



See Geography, by the Rev. Mr. Goldsmith. 



NOTE 14. Verse 405. 

'* Yon tall grass wild, where high the lime-trees wave." 

" At the corner of the church-yard, which looks 
toward the fields, there are two lime-trees ; it is there 
I wish to rest." 

Werter*s last letter to Charlotte. 



i 2 



116 NOTES ON 



NOTE 15. Verse 449. 

" And see ! all loose, 6'er Leucate's rock reclined, 
Beauty's fair tresses stream upon the wind !" 

" There is a promontory of Acarnania, called Leu- 
cate, on the top of which was a little temple dedicated 
to Apollo. In this temple it was usual for despairing 
lovers to make their vows in secret, and afterwards to 
fling themselves from the top of the precipice into 
the sea, where they were sometimes taken up alive. 
This place was called ' the Lover's Leap/ Those 
who had taken this leap, were observed never to re- 
lapse into that passion. Sappho tried the cure, but 
perished in the experiment !" 

Spectator, vol. hi. 223. 



PART THE SECOND. 117 

NOTE 16. Verse 547. 
<s Too Lite, contrition pours the scalding tear." 

No vice calls so imperatively for censure, or wounds 
so keenly, as the seduction of conjugal affection. The 
epicure and the drunkard may surrender health and 
reason to sensual propensities. These vices, however, 
. admit of some reparation to society. But no ade- 
quate atonement can be offered for the pillage of do- 
mestic happiness. 

THE END. 



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